Georgia Magazine - January 2022 - 18

6
Apply for scholarships and fi nancial
aid. Students should think of fi nancial aid or
scholarships in maybe three or four big categories,
Lewis says.
" Th ere's always going to be institutional aid, aid
that's coming from a specifi c college in the form of a
merit scholarship or need-based aid, " she says. " Th ere
are state-specifi c scholarships. In Georgia we have
the HOPE [or Zell Miller] Scholarship. Th ere is federal
money in terms of grants, [such as] the Pell Grant,
and loans in the form of Staff ord loans. And the fourth
category is outside scholarships. Th ose are provided
often by private organizations and companies. For a
vast majority of students, a combination of those four
pieces will make up their college funding in addition to
parent or individual support. "
About the FAFSA
A trusted resource for scholarship and fi nancial-aid
information is the U.S. Department of Education's
Offi ce of Federal Student Aid, studentaid.gov. The
FSA Information Center helps students complete the
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and
provides information about its programs.
7
Look into tuition. The assumption that all private
colleges cost more to attend than public colleges is not
necessarily true, Latting says.
" Sometimes people focus on the full cost of attendance.
They don't think enough about what the actual
cost would be after financial aid and scholarships, " he
says. " They tend to rule out places that seem expensive
when, in fact, they wouldn't be. And a great tool to use
to figure that out is the net-price calculator each college
makes available on its website. "
Latting also recommends myintuition.org. " It's a
wonderful resource because it's such a time-saver. "
8
9
Write the application essay. Many
colleges require a personal essay, which gives
students a chance to reveal who they are as
individuals. When composing your essay, be honest.
Use a tone that matches how you speak.
" Just tell your story and have fun with that, "
Latting advises.
Write the first draft weeks before it's due and
adhere to the school's guidelines. Allow yourself time
to revise, edit and proofread. Above all, ask someone
else to read your essay before you submit it.
10
Gather your letters of recommendation.
Colleges and universities typically require one to three
recommendation letters with your application. These
usually come from people who know you well and can
attest to your skills and accomplishments, such as a
school counselor or teachers. It's never too early to
build relationships with the people you may one day
ask to write recommendation letters for you. When that
day arrives, remember that writing well-thought-out
letters takes time, especially for teachers who may be
writing letters for several students. So ask early and
thank them.
18 Georgia Magazine January 2022
Apply. Most schools prefer online applications,
which are easier to review and process. After submitting
your applications, periodically check that every part
of the process is progressing as it should. Follow up on
scholarship and financial-aid applications, confirm that
your high school has sent your transcript to each college
you've applied to, and watch your mailbox for letters of
acceptance or possible rejection.
" The most important thing is to approach the process
as one of self-reflection and insight as opposed to
competition, " Lewis says. " It is so easy to get caught up
in the process of big-name schools and who's getting in
where, and ultimately that doesn't matter. Each student
who wants to find the right school will find the right
school for them. "
Victoria Scharf DeCastro is a freelance writer based in Suwanee.
The 42-bell carillon tower of Lupton Hall is an iconic piece of architecture
on the Oglethorpe University campus in Atlanta.
OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY
http://www.myintuition.org http://www.studentaid.gov
Georgia Magazine - January 2022

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